Releasable locking device for immobilizing a member carried by a cable

ABSTRACT

A releasable locking device for separable interconnection of the adjacent edges of two veils V1, V2 comprises a stationary section-bar PF carried by a post P and a movable section-bar PM carried by a horizontal driving cable C provided with a wedgeblock 20 extending through an opening 19 of the web of the bar. Abutment means 13, 13&#39;&#39; and vertically releasable locking means 14, 14&#39;&#39; are formed by the confronting lower and upper flanges of the bars, respectively.

United States Patent 1191 Le Bourgeois Dec. 11, 1973 [76] Inventor: Andre Edouard Henri Le Bourgeois,

12, rue du Grenier St. Lazare, Paris, France 22 Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 21 Appl. No.1 246,724

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,288,158 11/1966 Gugliotta .f. .1 52/83 3,387,412 6/1968 Kwake 3,574,979 4/1971 Chan 3,690,080 9/1972 Di1lard..... 3,510,996 5/1970 Popil 52/83 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 108,537 1/1968 Denmark 160/84 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-H. E. Raduazo Att0rneyl-1arold D. Steinberg et al.

Apr. 30, 1971 France 7115619 [57] ,7 ABSTRACT 52 US. (:1 52/2,.52/63, 52/83, A releasable locking device for separable interconnec- 160/34, 292/140 tion of the adjacent edges of two veils V V 51 Int. Cl E04b 1/345, E04b 7/14 Comprises a stationary Section-bar PF carried y a 58 Field of Search 52/2, 83; 160/84; P P and a movable section-bar PM carried y a 292/141, M17212, 17213, izontal driving cable C provided with a wedge-block 20 extending through an opening 19 of the web of the [56] References Cited bar. Abutment means 13, 13' and vertically releasable UNITED STATES PATENTS locking means 14, 14 are formed by the confronting lower and upper flanges of the bars, respectively. 2,415,202 2/1947 Ferguson 52/83 3,195,275 7/1965 Praeger 52/83 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures V l 1 PF RELEASABLE LOCKING DEVICE FOR IMMOBILIZING A MEMBER CARRIED BY A CABLE The present invention relates generally to a releasable locking device for positively immobilizing a member supported and driven in translation by means of a substantially horizontal cable.

The device is designed particularly, but not exclusively, to sealingly interconnect parallel section-bars, one of which is stationary and the other movable, and which form integral parts of the roof of an uncoverable inflatable greenhouse. It is however understood that the invention by no means limited to this particular application and that it may be used with advantage in a great number of other applications, e.g., for momentarily immobilizing members carried by a funicular cable, for the closing of cableor rod-operated hatchcovers on board ships, and so forth. In all these respects, it should be noted that the device of the invention is usable for positively immobilizing members supported and driven in translation not only by a cable but also by any other similar linear element.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that the said member slides freely on a wedge block carried by the said cable and comprising an inclined surface extending between stop means, so that the said member, immobilized by an abutment located on its path, is raised or on the contrary falls depending upon the direction of relative displacement of the wedge block driven by the cable, the vertical motions thus performed by the said member ensuring the engagement or, respectively, the release of complementary locking means associated with the said member and the said abutment.

Advantageously, each end of the inclined surface of the said wedge block is separated from the corresponding stop means by a substantially horizontal surface extending in substantially parallel relationship to the cable.

According to other features of the device of the invention the wedge block may be either permanently secured to the cable or slidingly mounted on the latter.

In the first case, when the said member is immobilized the cable also is stopped, whereas in the second case the cable can continue to move afterthe said member is immobilized.

According to one particularly advantageous form of embodiment of the device of the invention, the said wedge block consists of a body of revolution traversed axially by the cable and comprising, between two end collars or flanges, two cylindrical portions interconnected by a substantially taper portion.

The said body of revolution may either be straddled by a fork solid with the said member or pass through an opening of a plate solid with the said member.

In a preferred application of the device of the invention, the said member is itself constituted by a movable section-bar extending transversely of at least two paral- I lel cables supporting it, the aforesaid abutment consisting of a stationary section bar parallel with the said movable section-bar.

In the above-mentioned particular application of the invention, each of the stationary and movable sectionbars serves as an edging for a supple veil element forming a roofing element for an uncoverable inflatable greenhouse, the said section-bars being preferably so designed as to also fulfil the function of separable sealing elements.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of one nonlimitative example of embodiment illustrated by the appended drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an uncoverable inflatable greenhouse using a device according to the invention FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of two section-bars, one of which is stationary and the other movable and which are incorporated in the roof of the greenhouse of FIG. I, the said section-bars being interconnected according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken along line 33 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows, of another embodiment of a structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken along line 44 of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrows, illustrating a further embodiment of a structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

The greenhouse S shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 comprises four parallel vault sections C,C defined by five rows of parallel posts P, each of which supports a stationary section-bar PF transversely of the stationary section-bars PF are arranged several endless cables C whih can be actuated simultaneously from'a suitable device (not shown). The cables C support four movable section-bars PM each of which is associated with one of the stationary section-bars'PF. Between the two section-bars of each pair is stretched an impervious veil element V -V formed for instance of a supple film of transparent plastics material. Veil elements of the said material may be used to form the lateral walls and, if desired, the internal partitions of the greenhouse S.

In order that the use of the greenhouse S may be readily understood, two of its vault sections, namely C C are shown to be closed and maintained in an inflated state by' aslight internal overpressure, whereas the other two vault sections, C ,C are shown to be uncovered, their lateral walls removed and their roofing veil elements V ,V folded up by displacing the corresponding movable section-bars PM by means of the supporting and actuating cables C.

In order that the vault sections C C may be maintained inflated, it is obviously necessary that the movable section-bars extending along the edges of the corresponding roofing veil elements V,,V should be connected positively and sealingly to the corresponding stationary section-bars. On the contrary, in order that the greenhouse S may be uncovered as shown in vault sections C ,C., of FIG. I, the stationary and movable section-bars thus interconnected must be separable, preferably without these being any need of manual actuation other than that required for the actuation of the cables C. To this end, the interconnection of the stationary and movable section-bars PF, PM incorporated in the roof of the greenhouse S is performed by means of the releasable locking device according to the present invention, which will now be described in connection with this particular application of the said device and with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the stationary section-bar PF and the movable section-bar PM mounted respectively on the adjacent edges of the roofing veil elements V V The stationary section-bar PF is supported by a post P and traversed by the actuating cable C supporting and driving in translation the movable section-bar PM. The said section-bars, generally C-shaped in section, are made for instance from pressed or folded light-alloy or from an extruded rigid plastics material. Each section-bar comprises a vertical web 10, a lower flange 11 substantially at right angles thereto and an upper flange 12 forming with the web an internal angle on the order of 60. The lower flange 11 of the stationary section-bar PF is bolted on a plate provided at the end of the post P, whereas the lower flange 11 of the movable section-bar PM is free. The mutually confronting lower flanges 11 of the section-bars have their edges 13 bent at right angles so as to abut against one another. The free edge of the upper flange 12 of the stationary section-bar PF is so bent as to form a lip 14 adapted to be locked, as shown in FIG. 2, in a channel 14' formed by the free edge of the upper flange 12 of the movable section-bar PM. On the outer face of the upper flange 12 of each section-bar PF, PM is secured, by means of a bolt 15, a pair of profiled elements 16 of plastics material arranged head-to-tail, whose mutually confronting faces are provided on their edges with two series of complementary corrugations between which is inserted the edge of the roofing veil element V V The web 10 of the stationary sectionbar PF is provided with a small-diameter opening 17 provided advantageously with a sleeve 18 for the passage of the cable C. The web 10 of the movable sectionbar PM is provided with a large-diameter opening 19 co-operating with a wedge block 20 carried by the cable C.

The wedge block 20 consists of a body of revolution comprising a central, substantially taper portion 21 interconnecting two cylindrical sections 22, 23 which are unequal in diameter and limited respectively by end collars 24, 25 serving as stop means. The wedge block 20 is advantageously formed of two pieces and so designed as to form a clamping chuck for immobilizing the cable C.

The operation of the device thus designed will now be described starting from the position shown in FIG. 2.

In this position, the movable section-bar PM, previously driven by cable C (towards the right in FIG. 2), is stopped by abutting against the stationary section-bar PF and by mutual engagement of the folded edges 13 of their lower flanges 11. The web 10 of the movable section-bar PM then rests upon the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 of the wedge block 20 and the said section-bar therefore occupies its upper position wherein the channel 14' formed by the edge of its upper flange 12 is locked on the lip 14 formed by the edge of the corresponding flange of the stationary section-bar PF. In order to ensure a sealed interconnection of the two section-bars, a sealing pad J of a resiliently deformable material is advantageously secured, for instance adhered, in the internal angle of the channel 14' of the movable section-bar PM, so as to be compressed by the end of the lip 14 of the stationary section-bar PF.

Starting from this position, if the actuating cable C is displaced towards the left in FIG. 2, i.e. in the direction of the arrow H the movable section-bar PM locked on the stationary section-bar PF is at first prevented from moving, so that the wedge block 20 moves through the opening 19 of the said movable section-bar. When the inclined surface 21 of the wedge block reaches the edge of the opening 19, the movable section-bar PM falls by gravity in the direction of arrow V and reaches the position shown in dash-dotted lines, in which the channel 14 is disengaged from the lip 14 of the stationary section-bar PF. From then on, the movable sectionbar PM can be driven in translation by the cable C. When the edge of its opening 19 reaches the smalldiameter cylindrical surface 22 of the wedge block 20 it abuts against the end collar 24 of the said block. The movable section-bar Pm is therefore moved from the stationary section-bar PF at a distance corresponding substantially to the travel of the actuating cable C.

Starting from this position, if the direction of displacement of cable C is reversed, the movable sectionbar PM is driven in horizontal translation in the direction of the arrow H while the edge of its opening 19 is retained on the small-diameter cylindrical portion 22 of the wedge block 20 as a result of the weight of the section bar preventing it from passing onto the inclined surface 21. As soon as the folded edge 13 of the lower flange 11 of the movable section-bar PM abuts against the similar edge of the section-bar PF, the translation of the said movable section-bar is stopped in the position shown in dash-dotted lines. As the motion of cable C continues, the wedge block 20 driven thereby is forced through the opening 19 of the movable sectionbar PM which, therefore, is raised according to arrow V This vertical displacement of the movable sectionbar PM leads to the locking of the channel 14' formed by the free edge of its upper flange 12 on the lip 14 formed by the edge of the upper flange 12 of the stationary section-bar PF. Thus, both section-bars are moved back to their locking initial position, solely as a result of the driving action of the actuating cable C on the movable section-bar PM.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the movable member is rigid with a substantially vertically extending forkforming element 10a with which a suitable abutment means is adapted to cooperate, this vertically extending element 10a being formed with the opening through which the wedge block 20 extends, so that the wedge block is straddled by the element 10a.

In the construction shown in FIG. 4, the movable member is fixed to a vertically extending element 10b formed with the circular opening 19b through which the wedge block 20 extends.

FIG. 5 illustrates further the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIG. 3, showing in detail the orientation of the fork-forming element 1011 with the abutments thereof.

FIG. 6 shows further details of the embodiment of FIG. 4, with FIG. 6 clearly indicating the abutment means of this embodiment.

Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the form of embodiment or to the particular uses described and illustrated by way of example only. In particular, the cable C may be replaced by a rod, bar or other equivalent linear element; the wedge block 20 may be mounted on cable C with a tight fit so as to allow automatic adjustment of the relative positions of the elements of the device; besides, the said wedge block may consist of a plate or a shoe oriented correctly by being guided through an appropriately shaped opening provided in the movable section-bar PM; the arrangement of the abutment and locking means for the section-bars may be modified, provided the stopping of the horizontal translation of the movable section-bar and the engagement or release of the locking means by way of substantially vertical translation are ensured; both section bars may be movable, provided their respective displacements take place either in opposite directions or in one and the same direction but at unequal speeds; lastly, the section-bars may be substituted for by members of a different nature, such as conveyor buckets, conveyor suspension elements, rigid closing panels or any other members supported and actuated by means of at least one cable or an equivalent element.

Therefore, the invention generally comprises all the means constituting technical equivalents to the means described and illustrated by way of example.

What is claimed is:

l. Releasable locking device for positively immobilizing a member supported and driven in translation by at least one substantially horizontal cable, characterized in that it comprises a wedge block carried by said cable and formed with spaced stop means located on either side of an inclined surface on which said member is slidably supported,

- abutment means located on the path of said cable and adapted to immobilize said member in horizontal translation; whereby said member is caused to slide up or down on said inclined surface, depending upon the relative direction of displacement of saidwedge block driven by said cable,

- and complementary locking means associated with said member and abutment means, said locking means being adapted to be selectively engaged or released by the vertical motion thus imparted to said horizontally immobilized member.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is secured permanently to said cable.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is mounted slidingly on said cable.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is formed between each of said stop means and the corresponding end of said inclined surface with a substantially horizontal surface extending in substantially parallel relationship to said cable.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said wedge block consists of a body of revolution traversed axially by said cable and comprising a tapered central portion formed between two cylindrical portions limited by respective end shoulder portions, which constitute said inclined surface, horizontal surfaces and stop means respectively.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is straddled by a substantially vertically extending fork-forming element rigid with said member.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said fork-forming element consists in a plate rigid with said member, extending substantially vertically, transversely to said cable and provided with an opening through which extends said wedge block.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said member consists of a movable section-bar extending substantially transversely of at least two parallel supporting and driving cables each provided with a respective wedge block.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said abutment means consists of a stationary sectionbar located on the path of said cables and extending substantially parallel to said movable section-bar.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each of said stationary and movable section-bars is comprised of a substantially vertical web provided with openings through which extend said cables and, respectively, said wedge blocks, and of depending lower and upper flanges confronting the corresponding flanges of the other section-bar and carrying said abutment means and locking means respectively.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars have con-' fronting lower flanges provided with respective inturned edges constituting said abutment means.

12. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars have confronting upper flanges forming complementary lips and channels constituting said locking means.

13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a sealing element operatively mounted on either side of said stationary and movable section-bars provid'es for tight connection thereof.

14. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars are respectively mounted on confronting edges of veils or panel elements to be selectively interconnected or separated.

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the said veil elements or the said panels form an uncoverable or retractable roof.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the elements of the said roof consist of supple veil elements and are integral parts of an inflatable greenhouse. 

1. Releasable locking device for positively immobilizing a member supported and driven in translation by at least one substantially horizontal cable, characterized in that it comprises : - a wedge block carried by said cable and formed with spaced stop means located on either side of an inclined surface on which said member is slidably supported, - abutment means located on the path of said cable and adapted to immobilize said member in horizontal translation; whereby said member is caused to slide up or down on said inclined surface, depending upon the relative direction of displacement of said wedge block driven by said cable, - and complementary locking means associated with said member and abutment means, said locking means being adapted to be selectively engaged or released by the vertical motion thus imparted to said horizontally immobilized member.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is secured permanently to said cable.
 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is mounted slidingly on said cable.
 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is formed between each of said stop means and the corresponding end of said inclined surface with a substantially horizontal surface extending in substantially parallel relationship to said cable.
 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said wedge block consists of a body of revolution traversed axially by said cable and comprising a tapered central portion formed between two cylindrical portions limited by respective end shoulder portions, which constitute said inclined surface, horizontal surfaces and stop means respectively.
 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said wedge block is straddled by a substantially vertically extending fork-forming element rigid with said member.
 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said fork-forming element consists in a plate rigid with said member, extending substantially vertically, transversely to said cable and provided with an opening through which extends said wedge block.
 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said member consists of a movable section-bar extending substantially transversely of at least two parallel supporting and driving cables each provided with a respective wedge block.
 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said abutment means consists of a stationary section-bar located on the path of said cables and extending substantially parallel to said movable section-bar.
 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each of said stationary and movable section-bars is comprised of a substantially vertical web provided with openings through which extend said cables and, respectively, said wedge blocks, and of depending lower and upper flanges confronting the corresponding flanges of the other section-bar and carrying said abutment means and locking means respectively.
 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars have confronting lower flanges provided with respective inturned edges constituting said abutment means.
 12. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars have confronting upper flanges forming complementary lips and channels constituting said locking means.
 13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a sealing element operatively mounted on either side of said stationary and movable section-bars provides for tight connection thereof.
 14. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said stationary and movable section-bars are respectively mounted on confronting edges of veils or panel elements to be selectively interconnected or separated.
 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized iN that the said veil elements or the said panels form an uncoverable or retractable roof.
 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the elements of the said roof consist of supple veil elements and are integral parts of an inflatable greenhouse. 